A blog about homesteading and trying to live more simply. Trying to do more projects on my own in order to become more self-reliant. For the fun of it. Lots of pictures. By Julia Franke. Simplicity for Julia

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Winter Happenings and Spring Awakening

This winter was long, cold and snowy. I am so relieved to be at the other end enjoying Spring and all of Spring's possibilities. The growing season, the building season, the play outside, eat outside season. This season fills me with hope and happiness.

This winter was hard on the surrounding wildlife. Towards the end, we saw deer in our backyard every evening. Some nights we would count up to ten deer. At first it was neat, but then they started to eat our freshly planted trees, and rip up the yard. They must have been getting very hungry and desperate. Overall, it was very neat, and now we have huge cages around the trees. There were so many deer, that when you visit our backyard, you must be careful where you step.

A few weeks ago, I started my tomato seeds and brussel sprouts. I was very excited to see how the tomato seeds germinated, since these were the seed I'd saved previously (Saving tomato seeds).

They did very well. They germinated better than the store bought seeds. Unfortunately, I didn't have any grow lights set up, so my tomatoes are limping along right now, but suspect I'll have nice amount of started tomato plants for myself, just not enough to share like I usually do.

I also started stevia and mint. I know mint is quite a prolific plant once it is started, but it is a bit of a challenge to start it. Both of these seed are very fine, and need to only go on the surface of moist soil. The germination rate seems to be low, but I am very excited to have my very own stevia plant.

At the end of March I planted my cold weather vegetables. I have peas, carrots, beets, spinach and onions all in the ground. The spinach is starting to show some green leaves. In a few weeks, I will no longer be paying $6 for a pound of organic spinach at the grocery store.

My chickens are doing well (most of them). They are all laying. We are now getting brown, blue and small white eggs. And we are getting enough to give some away! It's all very eggs-citing. (Geez! sorry about that one, I couldn't help myself!)

As I alluded to earlier, Most of my chickens are doing well. One is no longer with us. Beatrice, our White Sultan, was killed. We aren't sure what happened to her. I think she may have been attacked by the other chickens. While it is sad, this is what happens when you have any animals.

So slowly but surely, our piece of land is coming alive. The grass is greener and the chickens are happier. All is well.